You probably haven’t heard of… Floorball

By Johan Van de Ven

Johan Van de Ven is University club captain.

What are the rules?

It’s similar to field hockey, the key differences being that shots can be taken on from anywhere on the court, the ball can also be lifted at any time, and the ball can be taken behind the net, like in ice hockey. A summary would be ice hockey without the ice or the violence

So hockey you say?

What kit do I need?

It’s played with lightweight plastic sticks similar to those used in field hockey, but with bigger blades, allowing players to get a lot more purchase on the ball, and giving rise to the “zorro” trick (Youtube if interested). Outfield players just need normal athletic wear, but goalkeepers wear lightweight protective gear.

What first attracted you to it?

I enjoyed hockey at school, but heard that floorball is played at a faster pace, with fewer rules – so that was a big attraction.

Where can we find you?

We train every Tuesday at Iffley Road, 4.30 to 6pm.

How popular is it?

Floorball is the biggest participant sport in Sweden, Finland and Singapore, but in Oxford our stable membership can just about be counted on two hands, while transient Singaporeans bump the numbers into the mid-teens every now and then.

How can I start?

We provide coaching for those who haven’t played before (almost everyone), and it is a straightforward, simple sport – so beginners are most welcome.

What ‘big event’ should we look out for?

Our season reaches its peak during out annual friendly with the Ilmington Eagles, an under-18 team that regularly tops the university league and essentially makes up the Great Britain team for their age group. Last time we lost 7-2…

 

 

 

  PHOTO// BRMANN